Devilish Delights (ebook)

Argumento de Devilish Delights (ebook)

Laura anticipates two quiet weeks when she swaps London for a stint running her aunts kitchen shop in a sleepy Welsh village. Disillusioned by a broken romance, she doesnt expect to fall for Alex Conway, local-born singer performing in the golf club fund-raiser. He takes her number but dashes back to audition for the lead part in Devilish Delights, leaving Laura fearful hell forget her. So why not enjoy the attention of Jarratt Morley, well-known author and older man with a beguiling luxury life style? She knows what she risks by agreeing to model exotic lingerie so Jarratt can photograph her but why hasnt Alex been in touch again? Complications arise as the singer rings with an exciting invitation clashing with Lauras commitment to courier a manuscript to London for Jarratt. Lauras fascination for two very different men turns to love for West End musical star Alex but her emotions are blitzed by enigmatic Jarratts shocking disclosure. How easily might her dream turn into a nightmare?

Laura, he said.

I led him to the bedroom where we removed all our clothes. I hadnt known him long but our bodies couldnt have cared less. Fingers and tongues entwined. Touched. Entered. Tantalised.

From then on I had in my life a guy who cooked at weekends and took me to all the new movies. But when Id suggested we go to see a play or a musical for a change, Marcus had declared hed rather watch paint dry. He had other ideas for our evenings entertainment.

I didnt make a thing of it. I knew we were in lust, if not in love and much as I appreciated my vibrator diamonds were not necessarily a girls best friend it nestled at the bottom of my underwear drawer.

Just as the weather invited me to discard my tights and attend to my pale legs, I noticed Marcus inhabiting some other planet. Then came the evening he arrived during a crackling electrical storm. I buzzed him in through the main entrance and opened my door to a movie-star bouquet of irises and lilies, with a pair of long legs sticking out from under it. I needed no crystal ball.

Hi Laura, he said, handing over the flowers. We need to talk. He didnt meet my eyes.

Id seen this coming but the realisation struck as vividly as the sheet lightning silhouetting him in front of the window. And it hurt. I prolonged the agony by going into the kitchen to ram the fragrant blooms into a cracked vase. The spectacular crashes and rumbles outside could have doubled as sound effects for a horror movie. And the damaged vase matched my self-esteem.

I imagine hed rehearsed his lines because on my return he jumped to his feet. Youre much too wonderful a person to deceive, he whined as I glared into those treacherous blue eyes. The fact is, lovely

Cheating bastard. Go on, lovely , I said, digging the nails of one hand into the palm of the other.

God, Im sorry.

Maybe you should try apologising to me instead.

Rowenas decided we should try and make a go of it again. He gabbled the words. The truth is, she and I go back a long way.

The truth is your ex never really was. Isnt that right, Marcus? Ive been just a substitute. The bunny boiler went to Seattle on some kind of secondment and your cock was scarcely cool when good old Laura wandered into your life. Sooo convenient.

I couldnt believe how I was shaking. Even though Id had my suspicions about this guy, I was taken aback at my cold fury. Sussing his cunning little plan was no consolation. Truth was I knew someone who played squash with someone who worked with rich- bitch Rowena.

I left Marcus contemplating his duplicity. Oh, if only Id used that word to his face. In the kitchen I made tea. With a bit of luck hed go quietly and, for all I cared, drown in the Niagara Falls whooshing past my window.

But anger always turns me on. I convinced myself not to coax him to shuck off his boxers to help while away the storm. Thank goodness I managed to preserve my dignity because the rain switched off as suddenly as it started. And the door closed with a clunk, leaving me peeping between the slats of my blind as the love-rat vanished like a phantom into the now pearly twilight.

Too furious for tears, I slipped out to visit the nearby 24-hour supermarket in search of something sweet and cool. On my return, I reunited with my therapists, Ben and Jerry. Maybe Marcus had done me a favour because, deep down, I knew he wasnt the right man for me.

Its then that everything fell into place and I knew exactly what I had to do. I didnt feel like talking to anyone about this not even my best friend, Viv. And no way did I want to go someplace where I might risk bumping into Marcus especially if his lanky lover was draped round him like a pashmina. But that restless feeling was turning to a craving. At least if I went with my instincts, Id feel I was taking charge of my own destiny.

It was high time I saw my aunt again. Months before, she and my uncle had moved to Wales to run a kitchen shop. She picked up on the third ring.

Hi, Jan. How are you both? Missing the bright lights yet?

I didnt call her Auntie because she was only five years older than me. Jan and I were accustomed to explaining we were aunt and niece though she adored it if people, especially guys, assumed we were two friends out together. I should explain that she was very much in love with her husband, Nigel, a total sweetie, albeit a long-suffering one.

Right, she said after wed caught up. Its fantastic to hear from you but whats on your mind?

Im trying to forget a man.

He cant have been right for you.

She knew better than to try to prise the intimate details out of me.

I really wish I knew someone single and exciting to introduce you to, she said. Most unattached males round here are either geriatric or public schoolboys oozing testosterone.

I could do with a break from men, to be honest.

So come for a weekend and let us spoil you. You havent been here since the shop opening. And we love having you. The only snags the timing.

I wouldnt want to put you out.

Jan sighed. Its just that were hoping to take a buying trip soon but only if we can sort out cover for the shop. My assistants knee-deep in preparations for her daughters wedding. And well be knee-deep in Japanese tourists before you can say kamikaze.

I nodded. Stupid, as she couldnt see me. If you and Nigel need to get away, what if I come and shop-sit?

Youd give up precious holiday to mind the shop?

Certainly would. If you dont mind letting me loose in your place?

Jan and Nigels beautiful longhouse sat on the edge of a time-warp small town in Monmouthshire. The place was a big favourite on the tourist trail as it was a whisper away from the site of Roman remains. Or maybe it was the gastropub that was the attraction. There was also a very famous and exclusive boarding school nearby. Rubbing shoulders with dark-eyed sheikhs sons and diplomats ditzy daughters was the norm around there. Naughty Nigel referred to it as jailbait territory.

When do you want to leave?

Monday fortnight would be good, said Jan.

So where are you going?

Stockholm. What about your job?

I can sort things. I tried to sound confident.

Fantastic. Soon as you let me know, Ill get Nigel to fix our flights.

I decided to have an early night. A fortnight in the healing Welsh countryside should soothe my jagged edges. And, who knew what my long-suffering guardian angel might have in store on my return?0